Style habits to steer clear of this spring

Jessica Padykula is a freelance writer and editor in Toronto, Canada covering a wide range of topics for several online lifestyle publications. She is a regular contributor for SheKnows, covering travel, style, relationships, health and...

Fashion mishaps to avoid

We all make mistakes -- it happens to even the most style savvy among us. But there are a few fashion mishaps that can easily turn into habits if you let them. To ensure you stay fashion-focused and never veer into faux pas territory, we put together a list of some of the worst style mistakes to avoid this spring.

Over accessorizing

Accessories are great! They can take an outfit that’s just OK and elevate it to something eye-catching, but it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Over accessorizing can lead to a cluttered, chaotic look and take away from whatever you were trying to achieve to start with.

If you’re wearing something neutral with no bells and whistles (embellishments, bold colors), you can get away with adding two to three accessories. If you’re sporting something that speaks for itself, let it. Or opt for one item -- a pair of earrings, watch or other item that complements, rather than takes away from what you’re wearing.

Not dressing appropriately for the situation

Victoria Beckham and Beyonce can get away with wearing heels no matter where they go (even while pregnant), but the average person should take into consideration where they’re going before they choose an outfit.

Being overdressed or underdressed is easily avoided if you take the time to think about where you’re going before you step out the door. Wearing heels and a cocktail dress might be tempting (we all love to dress up), but if you’re going to a casual dinner party or pub night, you’ll just stand out -- and not in a good way.

Excessive matching

Too much matching can make you look one-dimensional, so even if your outfit is on-trend and fits you well, it won’t get the attention it deserves due to over-matching.

Before you leave the house, take a look at what you’re wearing and how much of it matches -- do your shoes match your bag, which matches your jacket and your statement beaded necklace? It’s time to take a few pieces off and either let the standout pieces speak for themselves, or replace the over-matched items with pieces in more neutral hues.

Clothes that don’t fit

Anything too tight, too loose or generally ill-fitting will get noticed -- and not in the way you want it to. We can’t stress enough the importance of trying things on before you buy them, and if they don’t quite fit (but you love them), getting them professionally altered so they do fit.

Even an expensive item that is too loose or too tight will look cheap unless it fits your body.

Getting in a fashion rut

It’s so easy to wear the same things season after season, but the truth is, fashion is about having fun and changing things up once in a while (at least with the seasons).

We’re not suggesting you go out and spend a fortune on new items every couple of months, but do switch things up where color and style are concerned. A few key pieces (a new bag, a new pair of shoes, a statement jacket) can really make a difference when it comes to livening up your look.